Victor James Stacey

Story:
Victor James Stacey was born on 13th January, 1888, in Delden, Gelderland, Netherlands and baptised in Alderholt, Wiltshire, on 6th May, 1888. He was the son of Thomas (Tom) Stacey, a Game Keeper, and Sarah Ann Stacey (nee Foster). (NB The records show Victor variously as 'James'; 'Victor James' and 'James Victor'. The Military records give his name as 'Victor James' as he was baptised.) At the time of the 1911 Census his family were living in Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. Victor was boarding with his brother at Baydon Hill, Baydon Street, Aldbourne, Wiltshire, where he worked as a Builder's Labourer. Shortly after the Census his father died in that year. On 2nd April, 1916, he married Ethel Mona King and they lived in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset. He enlisted at Hursley, Hampshire, as a Private in the 146th Company of the Royal Army Service Corps (Service No. T4/124982), later he joined the 17th Divisional Company. He served in France & Flanders from 13 Jul 1915 and was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He died of heart failure whilst in service at Warlincourt, France, on 21st August 1916 and was buried near the north-west corner of Mondicourt Communal Cemetery, Near Arras, Pas de Calais, France. He is remembered on the Berwick St. John War Memorial.  His brother, George Francis Arthur Stacey, also served but survived. Victor's wife was awarded a widows pension of 10s. (50p.) per week. Later she emigrated to Canada where she married Arthur Edward Gifford on 11 Aug 1920 in Victoria, Ontario, Canada.